Makeb's Bagels | Downtown. — Restaurant in West Palm Beach

The sundried tomato jalapeño cheddar bagel with cream cheese is the best bagel I’ve eaten. Their bagels are the real deal and that’s why I gave them 5 stars. The jalapeño cheddar is moist, packed with a cheesy taste, and has the right amount of jalapeño zing to complement the cheddar and cream cheese. It’s flavorful and never flat. This is as good as it gets for bagels.

The only thing I take slight umbrage with is the coffee and espresso. Their house blend coffee is not a strong, heavy dark roast. It is more like a Dunkin Donuts coffee than a Starbucks- it’s much lighter than a dark roast at Starbucks, and requires 1-2 espresso shots just to taste the same. Here’s the problem- it’s PRICED like Starbucks. They are both around $2. But by the time you add espresso to get the Makeb’s coffee stronger- you end up paying TWICE as much as Starbucks. It costs $4 at Makebs to get the same flavor as a $2 tall dark roast at Starbucks, or $2.70 at Dunkin (for coffee + an espresso shot)

Now on to espresso- Makebs charges $1.20+ for each espresso shot, Dunkin charges $0.69 per espresso shot and Starbucks charges $0.99. But you don’t even need the extra espresso shot at Starbucks because it’s already strong enough. Additionally, Makebs puts one shot of espresso per small in their Americano, Starbucks uses two shots of espresso in their small (“tall”) Americano, Dunkin puts one espresso shot per small Like Makeb’s- but Dunkin’s espresso shots are half the price of Makeb’s. So if you get an extra shot at Dunkins, it’s more affordable. This means you are paying the same or more at Makebs, but getting less espresso per small drink at Makebs. Also, Makebs cups are bigger- which means the espresso is diluted down even more with water, milk, etc. So you are not getting as strong an espresso flavor per drink.

So you are thinking, “Well you need to go to Starbucks then. Stop complaining.” And you are right. I should take my bagel and quietly go away. But I don’t want to make separate bagel and coffee stops. I just want to make one. I don’t want to pick between having time to get a bagel or having time to get a coffee. I want both. And Makebs is so close to the desired flavor, they just need to come down on their espresso price so I can rationalize regularly buying coffee there.

But like I said this is a bagel joint and they have the best bagels I’ve tasted, so I am a regular at this point. They have a great product and no competition as far as that goes, so that’s enough to keep...

Makebs Downtown in West Palm Beach is a hidden gem that deserves more attention. From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt welcomed by the genuinely warm and hospitable staff. Their friendliness immediately set a positive tone for my visit, and their enthusiasm for the menu made it easier to choose what to order.

I decided to sample three of their popular offerings: the egg, bacon, and cheese on a buttery croissant, the classic corned beef sandwich, and the hearty Italian sub. Each dish brought its own unique flavors and was served with a level of care that’s hard to miss. The croissant breakfast sandwich was incredibly satisfying—flaky on the outside, while the bacon added a smoky crunch. The corned beef sandwich was a nostalgic favorite, generously stuffed with tender meat and complemented by tangy pickles. As for the Italian sub, it had just the right balance of savory meats, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressing.

Beyond the tasty food, the ambiance at Makebs Downtown is perfect for a laid-back meal. Whether you’re dropping in for a morning pick-me-up or looking for a relaxing lunch break, the bright and cozy interior invites you to linger. There’s plenty of comfortable seating where you can enjoy good conversation with friends or savor your meal at your own pace.

Overall, Makebs Downtown stands out not just for its delicious sandwiches, but also for its commitment to warm customer service and a welcoming environment. If you find yourself in West Palm Beach, don’t hesitate to stop by for a memorable and satisfying...

I gave this place one star because the bagel itself was excellent, but it was thrown together very sloppily although there were only two other customers there. There was a big glop of cream cheese on one side of the bagel and a stack of salmon on the other. I actually had to do surgery before I could eat it. But the most off-putting part was the staff. There's nothing worse than walking up to two drones behind cash registers and not getting a smile or a greeting of some kind. Instead, they just eyeball you like the cow over the fence, with a look of "Well? What do YOU want?" The girl calling out the tickets would mumble the numbers into the microphone one time, and if the customer didn't catch it, well so be it! In the time I was sitting there, not one ticket was communicated effectively. The customers had to ask around or give other customers inquisitive looks so they'd repeat the number. I actually felt bad for the owner, whoever you are. There didn't seem to be a manager around and I thought how horrible to treat someone's business with such disdain. When I got to my lawyer's office down the street and mentioned the experience, three of his staff — almost in unison — said, "The help is so snotty and the coffee sucks! Go to the one on Okeechobee!" I'll go back for a bagel because it was delicious, but I'll have it to...